Friday, 15 June 2012 10:41

Key issues at SIDE

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Strong interest from dairy farmers will make for a capacity crowd at the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) to be held at Otago University in Dunedin at the end of June.

South Otago dairy farmer and chair of the SIDE 2012 organising committee Brangka Munan attributes the great response from dairy farmers to the line-up of top speakers for the three-day event.

"The theme this year is 'People, Perception, Pride" and it's a great opportunity to for us to discuss these key issues and opportunities facing dairying now and in the future.

"The SIDE programme covers a wide range of topics from on-farm issues, business skills, health and wellbeing, and personal development as well as wider dairy and business issues.

Brangka says due to the high level of interest, some of the workshops are already fully subscribed. "There are a limited number of places at some of the workshops due to venue capacity, so people leaving it late to register may not get to attend their first choice of topic."

In addition to the popular SIDE workshops, a parallel session "Business SIDE" is aimed at delegates who are looking beyond day-to-day farming matters.

• Award-winning journalist Genevieve Westcott will give delegates an insight into the world of news media and tips on working with media to get farmer stories heard.

• Nutritionist Lea Stenning will discuss the nutritional value of milk, recent studies on milk drinkers and the challenges of food marketing.

• Business SIDE delegates will also hear from Southland organic dairy farmer and dairy factory founder Robin Greer.

• Rabobank's Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory analyst Michael Harvey will bring delegates up to date with latest news from the turbulent ﬁnancial world and how this affects our dairy industry.

• The last speaker of Business SIDE is Mike Fleming of Heritage Farms who will present on success and succession – setting up your family farm business to stand the test of time.

SIDE 2012 will be held at the University of Otago in Dunedin on 25 – 27 June 2012. To download a copy of the full programme and to register online go to www.side.org.nz.

More like this

Editorial: Support Dairy

OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.

Massey VC Says University Best Placed to Support Dairy

Massey University is best placed to solve the “problems” facing the dairy industry, says vice chancellor, Pierre Venter.

CODC Rejects Plan to Spread Sludge on Lauder Farmland

Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.

CODC Sludge-to-Lauder Plan Slammed by Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.

Southland Farmers Face Wet Weather Toll, Support Available

Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.

Featured

Fines For Velveting Without Pain Relief, Illegal Slaughter and NAIT Breaches

Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.

A Year of Delivery for Fonterra

Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.

Editorial: Common Sense Prevails

OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.

Ex-Fonterra Suppliers Face Stricter Share Sell-Down Requirements

Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.

Aimer Farming Raises $3M to Launch AI Beef Pasture Tool

Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.

Miriam Lauridsen on Farm Health and Safety Culture

When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.